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Govt seeks opinion on changes in RTI Act

The govt has proposed that proceedings related to an RTI query will automatically stop if the applicant dies while the appeal is pending before the CIC.

Clause 1 of Rule 12 states that an appellant may withdraw an appeal after giving it in writing to the CIC.

But there can be no withdrawal of appeal after the matter has been finally heard or an order or decision has been pronounced.

SBI cuts lending rates by 0.15%

The country’s largest bank, State Bank of India has reduced its benchmark lending rate by 0 0.15%.

Base rate or the minimum lending rate of the bank has been reduced from 9.25 per cent to 9.1 per cent.

Base rate is the minimum rate set by the Reserve Bank of India below which banks are not allowed to lend to its customers.

Glaciers, forests ‘living entities’

HAVING declared the Ganga and the Yamuna as “living entities”, Uttarakhand HC has now declared glaciers, forests and lakes also as similar “biologically living” entities.

The bench said that like human beings, they also have a right to exist, persist, maintain, sustain and regenerate their vital ecology system.

These are scientifically and biologically living.

AERA exempts RCS flights

Tariff regulator AERA has ordered all major airport operators, including those run under the defence min., to exempt flights operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) from landing and parking charges.

Under RCS, UDAN, fares have been capped at Rs 2500 for 1-hr flights.

The scheme also provides for various benefits including no airport charges and 3-yr exclusivity on the routes.

Change in MWPSC Act

The govt is mulling bringing legislative changes to remove the monthly ceiling of ₹10,000 on the maintenance paid by children to parents.

At present, children need not pay more than ₹10,000.

If the proposed amend. to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act come through, the maintenance amount to be decided by senior citizen tribunals for the neglected parents.

Waives farm loans up to Rs. 1 lakh

The UP govt, at its first Cabinet meeting announced its decision to waive farmers’ loans worth ₹30,729 cr, writing off all farm loans up to ₹1 lakh.

The govt will also settle around ₹6,000 cr of NPAs of 7 lakh small and marginalised farmers.

The double decision , will benefit over 86 lakh small and marginalised farmers, who had taken loans until March 31, 2016.

5D ultrasound system to detect cancer

Amaravati-born Nishikant Deshmukh claims to have developed the world’s first 5D ultrasound system that will help surgeons in detecting cancerous tumours.

The 33-year-old Indian developed the 5-D technology as a part of his PhD thesis.

His research findings were 1st presented at the 2015 Information Processing in Computer Assisted Interventions.

Gujarat gets its 1st woman police chief

Geetha Johri was appointed in-charge police chief of Gujarat.

The minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja announced the decision while stating that Johri has been given the additional charge as she is the senior-most IPS officer in the state.

With this Johari has become the first woman IPS officer to be appointed for the top job in the state.

Technology park in Andhra Pradesh

A Malaysian company has agreed to help set up a technology park in Andhra Pradesh that’s expected to attract private sector investment of $100 million in the first phase.

MTN, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), will provide consultation in the areas of feasibility, planning and development of the park,